2002 Chevy Malibu -- Opinions?

Looking to replace the wife's SHO. I think I can pick up a former rental with 45k miles for about $6k. That's REALLY cheap for a clean 2 year old car.

Anyone out there own one? Hate 'em? Love 'em? Hear bad things about them?

- Freed

 

Wife had a '97. Drove fairly well, had reasonable power, and never gave us any trouble except for a leaky intake gasket. We kept it for about 75,000mi. I must say, however, that build quality was not as good as a lot of other brand, especially the imports. I think this is a problem with GM cars in general, as our '01 Regal GS had some quality issues as well. It's usually cosmetic stuff, like interior trim not fitting correctly and the cheap look of the plastic.

I have always been weary of rentals, though. Driven by too many different people who drive them a lot harder than they would drive their own cars.

 

Make sure it's a V6. They all came with poor front rotors. The A/C control panel failure was very common. They run well though.

 

malibu

also control arm bushing problems , tailight leaks .
have the car thoroughly checked by a good mechanic !!!

 

I've probably driven a dozen or more of them as rental cars when I travel on business. One of my least favorite cars. I think they ride rough, are noisy and underpowered. Even the V6. For my money and if you can afford it, I would take a Buick Century over the Malibu any day. They are plentiful in the used rental car market too and are reasonably priced.

 

Already tried going that route. I loved Century I rented one time, but I couldn't talk her into a Century or a Roadmonster. Said she didn't want a "Grandma Car". o No:

It does look like we are going to buy this one though. We just had my mechanic give it the once over and he said just what I thought he would -- that it looked great aside from needing two rear tires. I agree that it is a little noisy, but it is hella quieter than her Taurus.

I get to go play mind games with car salesmen tomorrow!

- Freed

 

decent car

I had a 2000 for a company car and it treated me well. Rotors warp though.
I then got a Taurus and it had less power.
Good Luck
JA

 

Go for a Century

My wife had a Malibu before we bought our Century. I couldn't stand to ride anywhere in the Malibu. In my opion the Century is twice the car. I tought you just bought the sho this summer. Do yourself a favor and don't get the Malibu.


So she doesn't want a grandma car, show her my grandma car.:grin: And a taurus is not a g ride? At least you are going GM this time.

 

2002 malibu

freed, my niece drives a 2002 malibu. nice little car. not really much different than a century. same powertrain. sounds like a good price. change the oil and filter every 3k, stay on top of things and it should serve you well.

 

Re: Go for a Century

Sorry for the confusion. We've had the SHO for about 2.5 years and put about 60k miles on it. It was the GN that I drove all summer :grin: and then had to sell. :ball:

We did end up going with the Malibu. Got less in trade for the SHO than I wanted, but with the mileage and the noise the suspension was making, I doubt we could have sold it for much more. Ended up paying about in $6700 cash, so not bad for a year old car.

The SHO isn't quite a grandma car because of the tinted windows, sunroof, chrome wheels, CD changer, and extra 100 horsepower, but a Taurus is still a Taurus. o No:

Thanks to everyone for all the advice.

- Freed